Nodiver d.o.o. · Pride & Prejudice · page 188 of 640

Pride & Prejudice – page 188

JANE AUSTEN

because I know it to be the established custom of your

sex to reject a man on the first application, and perhaps

you have even now said as much to encourage my suit

as would be consistent with the true delicacy of the

female character.”

“Really, Mr. Collins,” cried Elizabeth with some

warmth, “you puzzle me exceedingly. If what I have

hitherto said can appear to you in the form of encour-

agement, I know not how to express my refusal in such

a way as to convince you of its being one.”

“You must give me leave to flatter myself, my dear

cousin, that your refusal of my addresses is merely

words of course. My reasons for believing it are briefly

these: It does not appear to me that my hand is

unworthy your acceptance, or that the establishment I

can offer would be any other than highly desirable. My

situation in life, my connections with the family of de

Bourgh, and my relationship to your own, are circum-

stances highly in my favour; and you should take it into

further consideration, that in spite of your manifold

attractions, it is by no means certain that another offer

of marriage may ever be made you. Your portion is

unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo the

effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications. As

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